Good to see other shooters a have a good taste for aesthetic firearms, the only person who has to like the rifle is the owner, I have no complaints with my mini.
I've always been a big fan of the mini you can move freely with it and no one at first glance thinks anything of it. Walking around with a AR-15 during civil unrest is about as tactical as a hard on in sweatpants.
@@rainyriveroutfitters what I think is sometimes you get a good gun and sometimes a bad one. Little burs and minor imperfections can give a good gun a bad name. I had a tec-9 one time it never jammed at all. Kept it clean and it had some minor work done to it before I got it. Sometimes also you or the average person can almost find the problem if the jam fail to feed or ejection is looked at carefully. It might cost some money to send gun to someone and get it fixed but hey its no different than decking it out with equipment that cost as much as the gun🤷
You must be a boomer. I had one, my father had one and friends have had them and all got rid of them for good reasons. When you need your gun to work perfectly you'll regret relying on this rifle
Nice. I also choosen a mini-14 to protect my house and my ranch. Mine is a newer 580 series. At the time I bought it, I was comparing with a budget AR. Call me crazy, but when I first held my Mini-14 at the store, it feels just right. This is how holding a rifle should feel like. Buy it immediatly, never look back, doesn't have the slightest regret.
Just found this video, and its nice to see someone out there who has a positive opinion of this rifle and doesn't spend the whole time bemoaning that its not an AR. This was the rifle and the Mini-30 were the rifles my Dad taught me to shoot with so many years ago, and those rifles are still in the family to this day. I still think the AR is better entry platform for the newcomer, mostly for how affordable they are now and the volume of aftermarket support, but the Mini-14 is where my heart lies. A great video also, honest and down to earth talk about a classic American firearm that still has a place in the modern age.
I have a mini 30 and I really love that rifle. I plan on getting a mini 14 at some point as well. I have other rifles including an AR, a couple of AK's, and SKS's but the mini STILL remains one of my favorites... I surely like it more than the AR. Don't get my wrong I love shooting all my rifles, but the mini really is just one of my favorite ones.
I am not into rifles. My ultimate survival gun is a Rock Island 1911 A2 with a 14 shot magazine capacity (only 10 in CA). It's heavy with wide grips but is quite accurate and very reliable so far. Can't go wrong with this proven man stopper in WW1 & WW2.
Glad to find someone who appreciates the Mini for what it is. Rock solid weapon in my opinion. Wouldn't feel undergunned if that's what I ended up with when the chips are down. We all know that days is coming soon enough. I have several ARs but the Mini is the one that makes me smile.
My experience mirrors yours, my Mini 14 and 30 provide more positive tactile and emotional uplift than my AR's do, there's just something about them that gels with me.
Great rifle, I've had my 195 series Ranch Rifle since 1999. I did change out the wood stock for a Hogue over molded black synthetic stock, but it's still very cool. I also have a Swift 3X9X40 variably powered scope on it. I can shoot .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO cartridges from my rifle. Ruger also made a target Mini-14 that was chambered in .223 Remington only and came with a Harmonic barrel stabilizer. My Mini-14 is utterly reliable as most of them are. When the barrel heats up, the groups will open up, but mine has a thin pencil barrel.
Thank you for the comment and support. Sounds like you have an awesome set up. They are stone reliable I wish the misconception of these rifles would go away.
@@rainyriveroutfitters The misconception of this rifle will only go away when people stop comparing it to the almighty m4 type rifles.You can't compare them,they are a different animal altogether. I have 2 mini 14 one pencil barrel and one 582 series.I have 2 mini 30 one pencil barrel and one 582 series.I have 2 Colt AR full size rifles and 2 M4 carbines.I have 2 M1A rifles one standard and one national match.The mini's just feel right in my hand and my go to rifles and good enough for combat accuracy, wether for self defense or ranch duty.
Great video. I have the mini 30 ranch and shoots great as a brush gun. One moot peav I have is it's not "strum" it's "Sturm Ruger". Last names of two great weapons designers.
I own an old one, and a new one. My favorite go to home defense, and trick guns. I put a barrel brace on the old model. Both are totally dependable at less than 200 yard. Great rifles!
I have a new model mini thirty- the 7.62x39 version of the mini 14. I love it. Great for plinking, hunting, and home defense. The mini thirty gets a bad rap for not reliably cycling steel case berdan primed ammo and it’s true. About 1 in every 20 shots of Tula will be a light primer strike with my gun. But so what! If that’s a big deal for you then run brass case ammo like Norma that’s roughly 60 cents a round. It runs American brass case ammo flawlessly. For just screwing around plinking who cares if you have a light primer strike once in a while. Keep up the great videos. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment and support. I'm glad to hear you love your mini. I had the opportunity to buy the 30 but couldn't justify it as I already had the 14. Thank you for adding to the discussion.
Love my Mini -14 but I also love my Ar-15.If i had to pick just one it would be the AR-15 because there are so many options and I built it myself. Now I want to get a mini-30 . Any preferance of Mini-14 vs. Mini 30 ? Great video
Thank you for your comment and support. I like the mini 14 as you can fire 223 and 556 the mini 30 with the 7.62x39 is a little out dated you can find a better platform in my opinion
Mini 14 5.56 SS w/ Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x - 24 fitted w/ rubber over molded stock hard to voice a “con” add-on I like best? The rubber stock, I love the feel and grip it’s like driving a sports car.
I also have one in SS and wood. The different stocks and mags are produced by a lot of people now adays. The mini 14 was first produced in 222, so they weren't making a rifle using a combat caliber, Vietnam was not popular. To clean and strip down an AR, you need special tools. To strip a mini-14, you need anything that fits the hole in the trigger guard and your hands. All the " I am going to protect MY neighborhood" or going to fight the zombie horde, have to remember. War is not SHTF, no division, no support, and you are outgunned. AR's are fine but there will be no battle, and that old guy you see on the poach with his daddies 30/30 is scarier than that squad you formed.
I will have something with a scope, and a couple back up scopes, because long range engagements are important to "survival"...my opinion of course. Great vid on the mini brother.
Any glass would be an asset on your rifle for sure. A lot of these are a grab and go situation. You can reach out 100 yards with irons and still be accurate enough.
It's a great rifle and I totally agree it has way more pros than cons when compared to a AR-15. I grew up (60s-70s) in a gun family shooting 03s, M1s and M1 carbines. My father was business manager for a gun store in San Antonio and I remember when they got their first Mini 14s in the mid 70s. A lot of the store's clients were SAPD officers, and like my father, many took a mini home with them. The only complaint that was heard concerned the accuracy after about 15-20 rounds of fairly rapid fire shooting. The groups would open up from the normal 2 inch moa to pie plate moa. However, during normal shooting, this problem never arose and if you worked with your hand load, 1 moa was easily attainable. We now know that the pencil barrel was the problem, it had whip once the barrel heated to a certain point. The AccuStrut really solved the problem in the early rifles as not only does it act as a barrel stabilize but also a heat sink. Fortunately Ruger fixed the problem, pretty much, by introducing the tapered barrel and improved an already great rifle. The only thing I don't care for is the aesthetics of the hand guard. I like the exposed op rod, so along with a True Shot barrel stabilizer, I have Choate ventilated hand guard on my old 184 series. I hope you enjoy and get as much use out of yours as I have out of mine. Btw, if you do FB, there is a Mini 14/30 group that discusses many aspects of the rifle and it's varients.
I almost bought a springfield Saint Ar15 I always wanted a AR , I ended up buying the Mini 14 it just felt right. No regrets 🙂 maybe because I like my ruger 10/22 so much. Yes I have shot many AR's just never owned one.
I agree 100%. I much prefer my Mini 14 for many of the same reasons you listed in the video. I prefer wood and steel. The Mini-14 has soul and it’s an excellent rifle. Simple, reliable and easy to use. I have 3 AR’s from the Vietnam era and they are cool but they seem like the Honda Civic of rifles. Everyone has one and everyone adds unnecessary things to “improve” it. Great vid you have a new subscriber 😊
As an 11B draftee, I learned to depend on the M-16. And the 60, the 78, 90 and 50. In a M113. Fast two years! Better two Oktoberfests! The Mini 14 will git R done, which is all that is needed.
I have an older Bushmaster "Windham" and a 580 series Mini 14. The scale says that the Mini is 0.1 ounces less than the AR, not enough difference to make a difference. The Mini is a softer recoil, makes it more enjoyable + I like the nostalgia, first semi I got to shoot growing up. However takedown I find is easier on the AR and it would probably go to battle before the Mini. However I also love the Mini 14 and it is fun! Great video, keep it up!
I have a tac model in black and a 185 I'm tiger stripe walnut I think. Absolutely love them both. Also have a new mini 30. A couple quirks but still fun
I had to Hoc mine last Month.... NEVER AGAIN!!!! I LOVE seeing her right beside me..... I kept the AR556 cause she has a LIGHT.... She'll NEVAH leave HOME again!!!
I have AR's and Minis and I love my Mini 14 and 30. For the average person they make a great all round compact plinking, hunting and self defense, rifle, which also has the benefit of being low key and unobtrusive, where that matters. Many have grown up with AR's and so a number of the controls and features of the Mini 14 seem alien to them, where as if you are older and have more of a background with more traditional firearms you tend to find the Mini 14, more intuitive to operate. IMO comparing the two as direct rivals is somewhat of a mistake. If you want a tactical type rifle with rails to attach all sorts of things to then the AR15 is the better way to go. If that isn't what you are in to, or you have other rifles that fulfill that niche, then the Mini provides a very practical and compact package, that's fun to shoot and generally have on hand, it's a more traditional design and more akin to a hunting rifle, best to keep it simple IMO. I do really like the all weather stainless models, as my other platforms in the same calibers do not have that feature.
I love the mini 14, but I also understand it’s quirks. I had trouble with my 583 series when I first bought it. The whole trigger mechanism would fall out every two or three shots! I called ruger and they said it was a common problem and to bend the guard. I found that a bit concerning , they offerd to take the gun back and take a look at it. I ended up doing what they said , and it seemed to have fixed it, owning both an AR and a mini 14. The AR is definitely a better platform. Easier to clean , more parts availability, cheaper to buy. All around a better gun. But that doesn’t mean the mini 14 doesn’t have its place or that it isn’t sufficient, it would work in pretty much any scenario the AR 15 would. I would not feel under gunned with a mini 14. But when it comes to constant firing , the mini can’t do it, fire 7 30 round mags back to back. The gun can’t handle it . All in all, the mini is in my top 3 favorite guns, but better then the AR? Naaah .
I'm currently making payments on my 2nd Mini 14. The first I bought just after Walmart started carrying rifles in stores again. It was the 581 model so it didn't have the tapped and drilled holes to mount the picatinny rail on. I got my 10% employee discount, and since I also had worked Black Friday (when Black Friday actually happened on Friday after Thanksgiving), I also got an additional 15% discount on 1 purchase. Yep, my 25% discount went towards my Mini 14. It knocked around $120.00 off the list price of the rifle. I originally put a Tasco 3-9X40 scope on it, and the cross hairs went X marks the spot after about 20 or 30 rounds. I then bought a Bushnell 3-9X40 Day and Night illuminated scope on and that is much more durable. It had the wood stock on when I bought it and a month or so later I found an ATI tactical stock for it at a gun shop and tried that out. It was nice but did add weight to the rifle. I didn't really like the way it felt, so I put the wood stock back on. Later on Ebay I found a Hogue polymer stock and tried that out. Between the 2, I do still prefer the wood stock, but it's nice to change things around now and then, and I have that option. I also added an Accu-Strut SOCOM stablizing brace to it, not to help with accuracy, but it does make the Mini 14 look just a bit more like an M14, so it was more for the asthetics and second cool, rather than improving accuracy. Most likely it did help improve accuracy and heat disipation, but it was mainly for the looks. As far as the Mini 14 I'm paying for, I haven't decided for sure how I want to set it up yet. I'm almost half convinced to just leave it as is and run the iron sights, but It does have the rail mount, I believe it's the 584 series, so I may just add on a very low power scope, like a 1-4X on a quick detach mount and have a red dot also on a qd mount...and maybe another Accu-Strut SOCOM. I'm still thinking on it. If I decide to add the SOCOM strut, I will do some serious accuracy tests first to compare how it does with and without the strut. I want the barrel broken in first before adding the strut. I do have AR-15's and AR-10's too, and I've built several of them myself. That is one benefit of the AR's, you can definitely taylor the construction to make it your own build. That's somewhat true with the Mini too, but you can't build one from a parts kit, you can only add on or modify an already built one. But that being said, if a SHTF situation happens, and if I had to give out my AR-15's and AR-10's to friends and family for their own protection and defense, and I had to rely solely on my Mini 14's, I'd sleep comfortably at night knowing I was well armed.
Thank you for your comment. It seems like you know your way around the Mini platform. They are definitely underrated, I love your setup, I won't be changing mine around as the GB model is getting harder to find, and I have found no faults in the manufacturing.
@@rainyriveroutfitters Agreed. The Mini's are built like tanks. Ruger uses high quality metal in their construction. I do agree you should just leave yours as is. It's a beautiful rifle in its configuration. I didn't mention it in the above comment but both of mine are blued Mini's but the stainless rifles in the wood stock are my personal favorite. The combination just looks good, be it the full wood stock or the folding (A-Team) style. Several years ago, I saw a stainless Mini with a wood stock and a stainless scope for $350.00......and of course when I decided to get it, it was already sold. I thought too long about that one before I acted and I doubt I'll get a second chance on that....but if it does happen, it'll be mine.
I appreciate your kind words. I've been going through some personal things this last year, and I do plan on returning soon. Thank you for your patience and remaining a subscriber to the channel.
As I've gotten older, and having spent most of my 20s actually in 911 on an ambulance, most of the gun shot wounds I've personally tended to, and the ones that killed the officers in my county, were never AR-15s. They were also handguns, an SKS, revolvers. Most people who are going to be in danger short of a militia role, don't need an AR-15. Armalite model 15s are great if you have a strong logistics chain of bullets, lube, and spare parts. But for the avg American, a ruger mini-14 that doesn't ruffle any feathers anywhere in the country, will do its job without fanfare. Can you justify shooting someone 300+ yrds away as a civilian? I bet you can't. Mini's just fine.
Thank you for bringing your knowledge and experience to the discussion. I stand behind the mini 14 for it's invisible statues as just another hunting rifle. It doesn't scare anyone or cause panic.
While I own both AR's and Mini's, I've made the point many times that as a civilian shooting anyone who is more than 25 yards away will in most scenarios take some justifying. In many jurisdictions if you shoot anyone at any range with an AR15 you will be under a microscope as just owning one is sufficient proof of your guilty intent for some. I certainly wouldn't feel I'm sacrificing anything of consequence if I grabbed my Mini 14 or Mini 30 instead of my AR, if heaven forbid something bad happened.
Man finally not full of shit l love tvhe mini I have I've got wood and sythetic stock I'm missing my left hand sense I was 20 I'm 60 now and this gun is my go to along with my winchester trapper 30 30 and myruger takedown 10/22 .Brother it's so good to here someone not dogging the hell out of the mini 14 that's been in the service.Love you brother I'm in south al.on the Florida line it gets very hot and humidity up there ,this stainless will take it when shit hits the fan my winchester trapperlever only has six shots but I have bandaleros for both and I feel both as a part of my Body the 10/22 also of course. Give me a chat back if you can.
Thank you for the comment and support on my channel. I really appreciate it. The Mini is fantastic, I suggest everyone have one in their lineup. I also have several videos about the 10/22 take down if you are interested. Thanks again for the support.
I enjoy both Mini14 and AR platforms. Everyone’s just gotta keep perspective on both rifles. Oh yeah, there’s personal preference you gotta factor in, too. Btw, a stainless Mini14 GB with a wood stock is bad ass.
Thinking about getting the target model for plinking in the yard. Sadly there arent many videos on them that show how well the target model actually works.
Save your money, the target model is not worth it. The tactical model will suit all your needs. And if you do one better find the GB model you will thank me later.
@@rainyriveroutfitters not paying for it. Would be getting it in a trade for a gun i paid less for and just sits here not getting used. Would just be for casual target shooting. My go to for around the property problems is my m1a scout in 308.
I love the AR platform.. like you I carried an AR style in the Marine Corp. M16a2 then moving on to an M249 SAW being my partner for 3 years…. From everything I learned about riffles over my years.. and wanted on go-to home defense riffle.. I think AR is only superior in MAG changing by a small margin… being in California with all the hassle I picked the mini 14 as my home defense/ target shooting riffle.. I definitely don’t feel undergunned is all I can say.. runs fast and eats all the amo no problems… I can still field strip an AR way faster then the mini… I definitely think the mini 14 is still very viable in today’s riffle market In the end it’s more about the shooter! Anyone can train to be good with anything after enough practice
Side note ... Besides the obvious plusses for the Mini-14 one can change the stock in a minute or less. I sometimes us the black polymer that came with the the Government Barrel Law Enfoprcement model I have but also like the wood stock I bought as well as the ATI Strikeforce tactical with folding adjustable stock, with that the rifle resembles a modern looking AR styled rifle which is funny because they do the same things basically.
I'd like to revisit these, but certainly not giving up my AR(s). The shear amount of AR parts availability is undeniable. I bought a mini 14 back 1974 or 75. I think I paid around 350 or 400 bucks for it, and it was not a good rifle accuracy wise. From everything I've heard or read, this has not been a problem for quite some time, and everyone who owns one, loves it. Willing to give it another try. I think the finest gas piston rifle I've ever shot was a Sig MCX Virtus a friend owns.
Completely agree on the Mini 14 vs the AR platform. I built an AR…sold it. Just don’t like it. I had a GB just like yours many moons ago and stupidly sold it. Now I have a 580 series ranch rifle that I love!
I'm with ya about the mini. Bought a new m4 colt Socom 1 several years ago roll marked m4A1 kac rails all that crap shot 50 rounds cleaned it and put it back in the box no thank you. I carried a m16 in the army also no thank you. Love my mini 582. I'll take it any day over a ar. Only thing I done to it was put a tech sight 200 on refined the trigger and put a ultimak rail on. Shoot the shit out of anything within 250 yds. As far as the barrel heat thing goes were not running mag after mag so who cares.im sighted at 200 yds 3 to 4 moa with irons , good enough for me. Gotta love a mini.!!!
I listen to a lot of the great debate over the mini vs the AR and in my opinion they are both great rifles. But I feel that each person is different and it depends on the individual and what they are most comfortable and proficient with. For example I have arthritis and a pistol grip is uncomfortable for me so there for I prefer the mini 14. But even before being stricken with arthritis I always felt more comfortable with a traditional rifle stock. Either way mini 14 or AR 15 you can't go wrong if it's what truly works for you. In the end I do not believe that a dear or any other animal would be able to tell the difference or care witch one of these they were talking hits from.
Thank you your your comment, that was well written. I enjoy when people being there opinion to this channel with a well thought out write up. They both have a place, I just enjoy the mini more.
You obviously know your firearms!! I own a M1A NM;Garands;FAL’s; Bulgarian Ak & a Romanian, and a lot of M77 Rugers, Mr. William Ruger, never built any junk!! I am only missing a couple of mini 14’s. You got a good one!!!
Thank you for your comment and support. You have a great diverse arsenal. It's kinda hard to find the mini 14 GB model in fair to good condition as they were used heavily.
I had a 80s model not a fan of how you attach a scope. Fixed in newer models. I'm a fan of the safety. Excellent placement great for left and right handed shooters
Wow that rifle is gorgeous !! Im a huge fan of the Ruger mini 14 Its definitely on my list to buy next Only problem is the magazines are too expensive and proprietary I have all my money tied up in my ar15's But I'll tell you what when I get healthy again and I can go back too work I'm definitely going to buy me a mini 14 !!
I hear the magazine complaint a lot, but I think that comes a lot from an AR15 perspective rather than firearms in general. It's not uncommon to pay $25-45 for a quality proprietary magazine. The Ruger magazines are very good quality, much better than most of my AR magazines and will last a lifetime. If you buy a new rifle Ruger gives you a discount voucher which you can use to get a couple more magazines more cheaply, after that it's just a case of shopping around for the right deals. While a valid point, I think it's overstated, I have several firearms, particularly in handguns where getting magazines you'd stake your life on are not cheap.
I have a mini 14. I put a barrel strut from strum ruger on it. I'm getting sub MOA at 100 meters. The mini 14 action is battle proven. I'm wanting a M1A next.
Had a Mini 14 years ago . Paid 200 bucks for it . Sold it and wish I had not . I have an AR . It's ok but I feel the 14 is a better rifle in every way. I like the charging handle on the 14 and it's built strong and can take a beating . I want another one but they are not inexpensive. Will get one again someday. AR rifles are good but the 14 is simply great in my opinion.
$200 bucks! That's a steal of a deal. I agree with you that they are built strong and can handle a beating for sure. Thanks for your comment and support.
Lever actions have their advantages, I like the mini 14 for it's versatility and the fact you can fire either 556 or 223 in a semi auto. A 357 lever action is a powerful rifle and you have the long standing reliability of the lever action. Just remember if SHTF ammo will be scarce so you want something that will fire a NATO round.
I had wondered about that. In that case you are a wealthy Man. I am often Short on smaller firewood. It's funny how when you burn firewood you notice firewood piles from a half mile away. Haha. I enjoyed your mini video. Ive taken Many many Deer with a mini in . 223. On one very difficult, Lean year the mini was all I had to feed my Young Family and I. We filled 3 Deer tags that year. Plenty to last us for a year. It Became our Survival Rifle for Sure. We were just about out of Good Options. The only time my mini ever failed me was when I greased it like a truck. " If all else fails, Read the Directions. " Haha. Best Wishes from Montana M.H.
@@mikehagan4320 the mini gets looked over a lot and forgot about. It is an awesome survival rifle. Thank you for sharing your story on how the mini fed your family.
A lot of folks genuinely believe that the Mini is a 1 to 1 scaled down M-14 rifle with the same gas piston system. When you show them how the gas blows right back into the bolt more similarly to a DI AR platform you see the surprised pikachu face so often it stops being funny. I also carried the M4 for a little while. It's a GREAT carbine. But I can't have a real M4 at home. Do I have anything against dudes who want to buy or build a 16 inch semi auto M4gery? Hell nah. Do I prefer my Mini 14 for a semi auto civilian rifle? All day, bro. It looks, points, and /feels/ like a rifle. I have an AK too. That's also semi auto. In it's own little way, it's also a novelty. The mini just feels right. It isn't pretending to be anything. Would it be my first choice if I was going to be single handedly saving the USA from a horde of Chinese bugmen charging me with bayonets fixed? Probably not. Does it do everything a survival rifle needs to do? Oh hell yeah it does. Look up the Bermuda Army versus the Bermuda Police Mini-14 versus M4A1 Falling Plate shooting challenge. Seeing someone proficient on the mini shredding less experienced shooters on the AR platform in a professional shooting competition is catharsis.
Thank you for adding to the conversation, I love the mini and how well it blends into urban environments. The mini is not a scary black rifle to the general population and can move in and out of neighbourhoods without a stigmatism attached to it. I appreciate you bringing your knowledge to the channel. Thank you for your support.
"The Mini just feels right" sums up how I feel and when it comes to proficiency a Mini can be very capable, I constantly see people deriding the platform while at the same time showing it's their lack of familiarity with the firearm that's actually the cause. I see people fumbling magazines in and out, where as you can learn the proper techniques in minutes. I can actually change magazines faster in the Mini than in my AR.
Never liked mine. The trigger was gritty and it had a crude ghost ring flip-up rear sight. Happier with an AR. Think I might have just got a lemon from a bad run. Nice video tho!
I prefer the Mini 14 to the AR 15 hand's down, as it is the overall better rifle in almost every way. HOWEVER, because SO many folks in the neighborhood have AR 15's, I DO have an AR simply for mag/ammo compatibility in the event we have to be a "militia" for a Community/State/National emergency. I also have a Glock 19 for the same reason, although the Glock at best is only an adequate 9mm pistol, and not anywhere near being the superb 9mm auto pistol that a CZ 75 is. NOW, for an "End of Civiliztion" (EOC) type scenario, I put all the autos aside in day to day use in favor of 357 mag / 38 Special revolvers and lever action rifles, because no weapon is good without ammo. Reloadable brass would be an absolute necessity in an EOC situation. Lever actions and revolvers are excellent at conserving brass, plus it is easy to teach non-shooters how to use them. I'd keep the autos and ammo stored for use if needed, but most "Property perimeter patrol", hunting, and general self-defense use would be with the revolvers and lever actions, as those weapons types are superb for general civilian self defense and utility use. The only true use for autos would be if a large gang or paramilitary force were a danger. If that situation presented itself, then the autos would be handed out to the folks that know how to use them, while the lever actions & pump shotguns would go to the less experienced shooters to plug any holes in the defensive line. Know your property / locality well and have a good location to lure the enemy into for a devastating cross fire, and a little bit of "hell fire" with home brewed flame throwers, and "napalm grenades / Molotov cocktails". Normal grenade shrapnel, can be avoided by the enemy but the creeping fire of napalm-like devices crawls into even the deepest depressions that are shrapnel safe!
I have two mini’s, tactical 584 in 556 in a Hogue and tactical 300 BO in a folder, whole safe full But if could only have one gun, it would be a mini 14 In 90’s ban had a mini 30 , but regrettably traded it off
I had a stainless steel model I bought just prior to the Y2K panic . And I abruptly sold it to a coworker of mine , as I didn’t have an immediate need for at that time after the new year turned and SHTF never happened . However, I’ve longed to replace it since then. I’m thinking about the tactical rendition. But not sure about the ‘ speckled wood ‘ as it appears to look like a synthetic stock , and I’m like you in regards to .. I love a wood stock with steel , it just appeals to me more than a synthetic stock . Anyone have any input or experience with the tactical model and the speckled wood ? Is it a textured finish or something ? I live in a rather small town and none of the local dealers have one in stock that I can look at and hold , or I’d probably order one .
Thank you for your comment. I do not have experience with the newer model, I've heard good and bad about it but at the end of the day it comes down to what you are comfortable with. The older stainless are getting harder to find as people are begining to rediscover it and find that it really is a useful rifle. I personally wouldn't go with the synthetic model but again. It's about choice in that matter. Unless you can find a really good deal I would wait for the "panic" to subside a little as the prices have been driven up due to fear and depamand.
@@rainyriveroutfitters Yes , you’re right about waiting. I don’t “ need “ another rifle , as I have many ( but never too many lol 😂) However, I do find myself looking at UA-cam videos about the Mini 14 quite frequently, so there’s that 🤣 But when I do get one , I’m leaning towards that tactical model with the shorter barrel and birdcage flash hider , and picatinny rail that comes with it … just not sure about the “ speckled wood “ stock, it’s not very alluring.
@@NorthwoodsNomad haha you can never have too many! The mini is definitely a great rifle to have in the arsenal. I would want to see the stock before I actually bought it. You can always change it out if you hate it though so that's an option.
@@rainyriveroutfitters I wish that could be an option for ordering one , it’s just too easy to put whatever stock you desire. I’d hate to buy the rifle , then go spend more money on another stock , and have an expensive piece of firewood leftover lol 😂
JMHO: I notice many folks commenting on how the mini doesn’t look mean. Folks need to get over all the touchy feely bs. If you know weapons you will recognize the similarities between the mini series, the m14, the m1/m2 Carbine, the BM59 and the grandaddy of them all the m1 Garand. All of which are weapons of war and great ones at that. This part is not JMHO, this is factual hands on experience : As for the GB I have personally put many thousands of rounds through them. Some were extremely accurate, some pathetic but most were acceptable, being mop (minute of person). The AC556 is the GB’s selective fire counter part. Another fine Ruger product. If the mini is your choice of a firearm for hard times I offer you this advice. Number one and most important, only use Ruger factory magazines! This is this weapon’s weakest link. Number two, have a spare bolt assembly and spare parts for the bolt and know how to assemble it. The extractors are subject to failure and the roller on the bolt is another weak spot. The charging handle/op rod is also prone to peen the receiver at the rear of its track/groove. These are outstanding carbines. That said after years of using the ar/m4 platform I have leaned to love it and trust it. God bless!
The factory 20 rounders run flawlessly. I have factory 30 rounders that don't run very well. My state "ALLOWS" AR-15 but I wanted a rifle that doesn't tug at my libtard community where I shoot. I don't regret my choice, beautiful rifle.
The mini is so much more reliable and tactical you can walk through a neighborhood and no one would know the difference between a hunting rifle and the mini. It has a incognito statues and I have run many rounds flawlessly through her. Thanks for the comment, what state are you in?
They are one of the most underrated rifles out there. I personally love the versatility of the rifle and how durable and well made they are. They don't have the stigmatism involved with the "black rifle" which makes this an asset.
Another side note ... The AR is more accurate at 300 yards if one is into that. I'm not, I love the Mini-14 for the intedned purpose of of defending everything withing 60 yards and shoots accurately at 200 yards standing free hand. I have no complaints, learn how to shoot I guess is my argument here.
I have shot 2 Mini 14's, accuracy really sucks. With new US Factory ammo, the group is about 12 inches in diameter, at 100 yards. Fun to shoot but to ever keep one for anything but shooting at 50 yards is the upper limit.
Thank you for your comment, I would have to disagree. The mini is accurate it just depends on the user and the model in my experience. Thanks for sharing.
Owning both an AR-15 and a Mini-14, I can honestly say that if I were dropped in the woods a hundred miles from nowhere and had to choose a .223 rifle to take with me, I would ABSOLUTELY choose the Mini-14 over the AR. It’s simply a more practical and IMO reliable rifle.
It blends in so much better and is an unassuming rifle. Not to mention torture tested reliability. The stainless would be the best for any water insertion.
Virtually all of them that were marked 223 actually had 5.56 military Chambers in them. And it's Sturm Ruger, not strum Ruger. And you are correct with every single AR-15 has stopped functioning, this rifle will still be going.
Have a GB gov stamped stainless w/a Samson folding stock and M7 bayonet w/several gov stamped 20 and 30 round mags and 5 standards stainless all folding stocks ya I got Mini 14 fever and went hog wild on gun broker for a time
Gotta love the Mini-14 and the Mini-30. They are super fun to shoot and they look great too. Let's not forget that for those people that live in communist states and can't have AR's and AK's, the Mini's are legal just about everywhere.
I love my mini-14 also with the Gov Barrel designation. I like the bird cage flash hider on it as well. The AR is a good rifle for sure buit it does nothing for me ... I don't like the feel of it as I have shot my brother's and his wife's each which are the Windham Weaponry ARs. I'll take self cleaning gas block all day long ... agreed.
![Why Won't the Ruger Mini-14 Just Die? [Part 1]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EzyGl_w-IXg/mqdefault.jpg)
Good to see other shooters a have a good taste for aesthetic firearms, the only person who has to like the rifle is the owner, I have no complaints with my mini.
I've always been a big fan of the mini you can move freely with it and no one at first glance thinks anything of it. Walking around with a AR-15 during civil unrest is about as tactical as a hard on in sweatpants.
@@rainyriveroutfitters lol that is a good way of putting it
@@rainyriveroutfitters what I think is sometimes you get a good gun and sometimes a bad one. Little burs and minor imperfections can give a good gun a bad name. I had a tec-9 one time it never jammed at all. Kept it clean and it had some minor work done to it before I got it. Sometimes also you or the average person can almost find the problem if the jam fail to feed or ejection is looked at carefully. It might cost some money to send gun to someone and get it fixed but hey its no different than decking it out with equipment that cost as much as the gun🤷
@@spankthemonkey3437 you make a great point
You must be a boomer. I had one, my father had one and friends have had them and all got rid of them for good reasons. When you need your gun to work perfectly you'll regret relying on this rifle
Nice. I also choosen a mini-14 to protect my house and my ranch. Mine is a newer 580 series. At the time I bought it, I was comparing with a budget AR. Call me crazy, but when I first held my Mini-14 at the store, it feels just right. This is how holding a rifle should feel like. Buy it immediatly, never look back, doesn't have the slightest regret.
The mini just has the feel of a quality hunting rifle. They are well built and can stand a ton of abuse and keep working.
Agreed. I own a mini 14 and love it. One of my favorite guns to shoot.
Definitely a nail driver
Most underrated gun. Love the mini 14.
Thank you for your comment and support
Just found this video, and its nice to see someone out there who has a positive opinion of this rifle and doesn't spend the whole time bemoaning that its not an AR. This was the rifle and the Mini-30 were the rifles my Dad taught me to shoot with so many years ago, and those rifles are still in the family to this day. I still think the AR is better entry platform for the newcomer, mostly for how affordable they are now and the volume of aftermarket support, but the Mini-14 is where my heart lies.
A great video also, honest and down to earth talk about a classic American firearm that still has a place in the modern age.
Thanks for the comment. The mini will always be a viable option, most people don't even know there history.
I have one of the older ones...I think its great because it doesn't "look" mean. I am ready for whatever comes.
They are very tactical, especially in an urban setting.
I have a mini 30 and I really love that rifle. I plan on getting a mini 14 at some point as well.
I have other rifles including an AR, a couple of AK's, and SKS's but the mini STILL remains one of my favorites... I surely like it more than the AR. Don't get my wrong I love shooting all my rifles, but the mini really is just one of my favorite ones.
Thanks for the comment and support, I'm glad you can appreciate all rifles. I love my mini.
Got one last summer. Love it!!!! Old School. Then bought a Rock Island 1911 to go along with it.
That's really awesome, how do you like the Rock island? I've heard mixed reviews.
I am not into rifles. My ultimate survival gun is a Rock Island 1911 A2 with a 14 shot magazine capacity (only 10 in CA). It's heavy with wide grips but is quite accurate and very reliable so far. Can't go wrong with this proven man stopper in WW1 & WW2.
Check out my video on the 1911, it's a great side arm.
Glad to find someone who appreciates the Mini for what it is. Rock solid weapon in my opinion. Wouldn't feel undergunned if that's what I ended up with when the chips are down. We all know that days is coming soon enough. I have several ARs but the Mini is the one that makes me smile.
The mini has seen combat in other countries. No reason it wouldn't hold up.
My experience mirrors yours, my Mini 14 and 30 provide more positive tactile and emotional uplift than my AR's do, there's just something about them that gels with me.
They are absolutely tactical in a sea of Black Rifles they can move freely unnoticed.
Great rifle, I've had my 195 series Ranch Rifle since 1999. I did change out the wood stock for a Hogue over molded black synthetic stock, but it's still very cool. I also have a Swift 3X9X40 variably powered scope on it. I can shoot .223 Remington or 5.56 NATO cartridges from my rifle. Ruger also made a target Mini-14 that was chambered in .223 Remington only and came with a Harmonic barrel stabilizer. My Mini-14 is utterly reliable as most of them are. When the barrel heats up, the groups will open up, but mine has a thin pencil barrel.
Thank you for the comment and support. Sounds like you have an awesome set up. They are stone reliable I wish the misconception of these rifles would go away.
@@rainyriveroutfitters The misconception of this rifle will only go away when people stop comparing it to the almighty m4 type rifles.You can't compare them,they are a different animal altogether. I have 2 mini 14 one pencil barrel and one 582 series.I have 2 mini 30 one pencil barrel and one 582 series.I have 2 Colt AR full size rifles and 2 M4 carbines.I have 2 M1A rifles one standard and one national match.The mini's just feel right in my hand and my go to rifles and good enough for combat accuracy, wether for self defense or ranch duty.
Great video. I have the mini 30 ranch and shoots great as a brush gun. One moot peav I have is it's not "strum" it's "Sturm Ruger". Last names of two great weapons designers.
Thank you for your comment
I love mine just as much and yes I’d choose this rifle over the AR15 as well. 🙏😎
An absolute survival rifle
I own an old one, and a new one. My favorite go to home defense, and trick guns. I put a barrel brace on the old model. Both are totally dependable at less than 200 yard. Great rifles!
Thank you for your input
I have a new model mini thirty- the 7.62x39 version of the mini 14. I love it. Great for plinking, hunting, and home defense.
The mini thirty gets a bad rap for not reliably cycling steel case berdan primed ammo and it’s true. About 1 in every 20 shots of Tula will be a light primer strike with my gun. But so what! If that’s a big deal for you then run brass case ammo like Norma that’s roughly 60 cents a round. It runs American brass case ammo flawlessly. For just screwing around plinking who cares if you have a light primer strike once in a while.
Keep up the great videos. Thanks!
Thank you for your comment and support. I'm glad to hear you love your mini. I had the opportunity to buy the 30 but couldn't justify it as I already had the 14. Thank you for adding to the discussion.
I have a Mini 30 in 7.62x39 and love it. That being said i did get the synthetic stock.
I prefer the wood and stainless, however I heard really good things about the newer synthetic ones. Thank you for your comment.
I’ve had my Mini-14 Ranch since 1994. I bought a Ruger AR in 2015. Shot the AR once and put it in the back of my safe. The Mini is 2nd behind my M1A!
Hell yeah! Love the mini.
Love my Mini -14 but I also love my Ar-15.If i had to pick just one it would be the AR-15 because there are so many options and I built it myself. Now I want to get a mini-30 . Any preferance of Mini-14 vs. Mini 30 ? Great video
Thank you for your comment and support. I like the mini 14 as you can fire 223 and 556 the mini 30 with the 7.62x39 is a little out dated you can find a better platform in my opinion
Mini 14 5.56 SS w/ Vortex Strike Eagle 1-6x - 24 fitted w/ rubber over molded stock hard to voice a “con” add-on I like best? The rubber stock, I love the feel and grip it’s like driving a sports car.
Drop a picture
I have owned Mini-14's for 40 years. Never saw the need for an AR.
I haven't owned mine as long but I love it. That's for the comment and support.
I also have one in SS and wood. The different stocks and mags are produced by a lot of people now adays. The mini 14 was first produced in 222, so they weren't making a rifle using a combat caliber, Vietnam was not popular. To clean and strip down an AR, you need special tools. To strip a mini-14, you need anything that fits the hole in the trigger guard and your hands. All the " I am going to protect MY neighborhood" or going to fight the zombie horde, have to remember. War is not SHTF, no division, no support, and you are outgunned. AR's are fine but there will be no battle, and that old guy you see on the poach with his daddies 30/30 is scarier than that squad you formed.
Good advice
I will have something with a scope, and a couple back up scopes, because long range engagements are important to "survival"...my opinion of course. Great vid on the mini brother.
Any glass would be an asset on your rifle for sure. A lot of these are a grab and go situation. You can reach out 100 yards with irons and still be accurate enough.
@@rainyriveroutfitters No doubt with the irons, but with me, I'm long gone before 100 yards, far to tight for my fight...thx
I love my long range fighters, you know you got someone who has your back and can scan the area. Got to have your ghost in every platoon.
@@rainyriveroutfitters I hear ya brother, Lord knows we need the door kickers as well.
It's a great rifle and I totally agree it has way more pros than cons when compared to a AR-15. I grew up (60s-70s) in a gun family shooting 03s, M1s and M1 carbines. My father was business manager for a gun store in San Antonio and I remember when they got their first Mini 14s in the mid 70s. A lot of the store's clients were SAPD officers, and like my father, many took a mini home with them. The only complaint that was heard concerned the accuracy after about 15-20 rounds of fairly rapid fire shooting. The groups would open up from the normal 2 inch moa to pie plate moa. However, during normal shooting, this problem never arose and if you worked with your hand load, 1 moa was easily attainable. We now know that the pencil barrel was the problem, it had whip once the barrel heated to a certain point. The AccuStrut really solved the problem in the early rifles as not only does it act as a barrel stabilize but also a heat sink. Fortunately Ruger fixed the problem, pretty much, by introducing the tapered barrel and improved an already great rifle. The only thing I don't care for is the aesthetics of the hand guard. I like the exposed op rod, so along with a True Shot barrel stabilizer, I have Choate ventilated hand guard on my old 184 series. I hope you enjoy and get as much use out of yours as I have out of mine. Btw, if you do FB, there is a Mini 14/30 group that discusses many aspects of the rifle and it's varients.
I like hearing all these stories from everyone. It is a underated rifle and it shouldn't be.
That side saddle looks really slick.
Thanks I enjoy it
I almost bought a springfield Saint Ar15 I always wanted a AR , I ended up buying the Mini 14 it just felt right. No regrets 🙂 maybe because I like my ruger 10/22 so much. Yes I have shot many AR's just never owned one.
That would be the only AR-15 I would buy. Thank you for your comment and support
@@rainyriveroutfitters me to ,I'm a big springfield and ruger guy. Both brands just always seem to work at least mine do.
Thank you for the comment and support. I think your right with that statement, both brands have performed flawlessly for me as well.
I agree 100%. I much prefer my Mini 14 for many of the same reasons you listed in the video. I prefer wood and steel. The Mini-14 has soul and it’s an excellent rifle. Simple, reliable and easy to use. I have 3 AR’s from the Vietnam era and they are cool but they seem like the Honda Civic of rifles. Everyone has one and everyone adds unnecessary things to “improve” it. Great vid you have a new subscriber 😊
Thank you, I appreciate your support.
As an 11B draftee, I learned to depend on the M-16. And the 60, the 78, 90 and 50. In a M113. Fast two years! Better two Oktoberfests!
The Mini 14 will git R done, which is all that is needed.
Thank you for your service, and your comment.
I have an older Bushmaster "Windham" and a 580 series Mini 14. The scale says that the Mini is 0.1 ounces less than the AR, not enough difference to make a difference. The Mini is a softer recoil, makes it more enjoyable + I like the nostalgia, first semi I got to shoot growing up. However takedown I find is easier on the AR and it would probably go to battle before the Mini. However I also love the Mini 14 and it is fun! Great video, keep it up!
Thank you for your comment and your support.
I have 2 minis! 556 & 300 blk. Great rifles.
Hell yeah!
I have a tac model in black and a 185 I'm tiger stripe walnut I think. Absolutely love them both. Also have a new mini 30. A couple quirks but still fun
Thank you for your comment and support. Sounds like you have some awesome rifles, I love going to the range with mine.
I had to Hoc mine last Month....
NEVER AGAIN!!!!
I LOVE seeing her right beside me.....
I kept the AR556 cause she has a LIGHT....
She'll NEVAH leave HOME again!!!
Thank you for the comment and your support. Glad you got her back
I have AR's and Minis and I love my Mini 14 and 30. For the average person they make a great all round compact plinking, hunting and self defense, rifle, which also has the benefit of being low key and unobtrusive, where that matters. Many have grown up with AR's and so a number of the controls and features of the Mini 14 seem alien to them, where as if you are older and have more of a background with more traditional firearms you tend to find the Mini 14, more intuitive to operate. IMO comparing the two as direct rivals is somewhat of a mistake. If you want a tactical type rifle with rails to attach all sorts of things to then the AR15 is the better way to go. If that isn't what you are in to, or you have other rifles that fulfill that niche, then the Mini provides a very practical and compact package, that's fun to shoot and generally have on hand, it's a more traditional design and more akin to a hunting rifle, best to keep it simple IMO. I do really like the all weather stainless models, as my other platforms in the same calibers do not have that feature.
Thank you for your comment, and bringing your knowledge and opinion to the conversation.
I had my first rifle was a mini14 in the late 80s Reliable platform!!!.
Thanks for the comment, I love them as well
I have two AR's and a Mini... If things got hot and I had to bug out.... the Mini is my escape gun...
No better choice, the versatility of the mini is great.
Hey man, this is the first video of yours that I've seen but I love your content! Keep it up 😄
Thank you for the comment and support. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos. I get a little carried away at times haha
I love the mini 14, but I also understand it’s quirks. I had trouble with my 583 series when I first bought it. The whole trigger mechanism would fall out every two or three shots! I called ruger and they said it was a common problem and to bend the guard. I found that a bit concerning , they offerd to take the gun back and take a look at it. I ended up doing what they said , and it seemed to have fixed it, owning both an AR and a mini 14. The AR is definitely a better platform. Easier to clean , more parts availability, cheaper to buy. All around a better gun. But that doesn’t mean the mini 14 doesn’t have its place or that it isn’t sufficient, it would work in pretty much any scenario the AR 15 would. I would not feel under gunned with a mini 14. But when it comes to constant firing , the mini can’t do it, fire 7 30 round mags back to back. The gun can’t handle it . All in all, the mini is in my top 3 favorite guns, but better then the AR? Naaah .
I appreciate you adding to the conversation.
I'm currently making payments on my 2nd Mini 14. The first I bought just after Walmart started carrying rifles in stores again. It was the 581 model so it didn't have the tapped and drilled holes to mount the picatinny rail on. I got my 10% employee discount, and since I also had worked Black Friday (when Black Friday actually happened on Friday after Thanksgiving), I also got an additional 15% discount on 1 purchase. Yep, my 25% discount went towards my Mini 14. It knocked around $120.00 off the list price of the rifle.
I originally put a Tasco 3-9X40 scope on it, and the cross hairs went X marks the spot after about 20 or 30 rounds. I then bought a Bushnell 3-9X40 Day and Night illuminated scope on and that is much more durable. It had the wood stock on when I bought it and a month or so later I found an ATI tactical stock for it at a gun shop and tried that out. It was nice but did add weight to the rifle. I didn't really like the way it felt, so I put the wood stock back on. Later on Ebay I found a Hogue polymer stock and tried that out. Between the 2, I do still prefer the wood stock, but it's nice to change things around now and then, and I have that option. I also added an Accu-Strut SOCOM stablizing brace to it, not to help with accuracy, but it does make the Mini 14 look just a bit more like an M14, so it was more for the asthetics and second cool, rather than improving accuracy. Most likely it did help improve accuracy and heat disipation, but it was mainly for the looks.
As far as the Mini 14 I'm paying for, I haven't decided for sure how I want to set it up yet. I'm almost half convinced to just leave it as is and run the iron sights, but It does have the rail mount, I believe it's the 584 series, so I may just add on a very low power scope, like a 1-4X on a quick detach mount and have a red dot also on a qd mount...and maybe another Accu-Strut SOCOM. I'm still thinking on it.
If I decide to add the SOCOM strut, I will do some serious accuracy tests first to compare how it does with and without the strut. I want the barrel broken in first before adding the strut.
I do have AR-15's and AR-10's too, and I've built several of them myself. That is one benefit of the AR's, you can definitely taylor the construction to make it your own build. That's somewhat true with the Mini too, but you can't build one from a parts kit, you can only add on or modify an already built one. But that being said, if a SHTF situation happens, and if I had to give out my AR-15's and AR-10's to friends and family for their own protection and defense, and I had to rely solely on my Mini 14's, I'd sleep comfortably at night knowing I was well armed.
Thank you for your comment. It seems like you know your way around the Mini platform. They are definitely underrated, I love your setup, I won't be changing mine around as the GB model is getting harder to find, and I have found no faults in the manufacturing.
@@rainyriveroutfitters Agreed. The Mini's are built like tanks. Ruger uses high quality metal in their construction.
I do agree you should just leave yours as is. It's a beautiful rifle in its configuration. I didn't mention it in the above comment but both of mine are blued Mini's but the stainless rifles in the wood stock are my personal favorite. The combination just looks good, be it the full wood stock or the folding (A-Team) style.
Several years ago, I saw a stainless Mini with a wood stock and a stainless scope for $350.00......and of course when I decided to get it, it was already sold. I thought too long about that one before I acted and I doubt I'll get a second chance on that....but if it does happen, it'll be mine.
The folding stock stainless steel is really hard to come by. That price is amazing, I would have bought that all day for that price.
@@rainyriveroutfitters Yea, that one is going to haunt me for a long time.
Just wanted to say that I always enjoyed your content, hope you return back to your channel with more. Take Care
I appreciate your kind words. I've been going through some personal things this last year, and I do plan on returning soon. Thank you for your patience and remaining a subscriber to the channel.
@@rainyriveroutfitters All my best with everything. Just wanted you to know that someone out there appreciated you!
That means a lot to me, thank you.
I love my Mini 14! Mine is from my 1980. I’ve been thinking of getting a mini 30.
I don't have any experience with the mini 30 but it would be bad ass to have one.
As I've gotten older, and having spent most of my 20s actually in 911 on an ambulance, most of the gun shot wounds I've personally tended to, and the ones that killed the officers in my county, were never AR-15s. They were also handguns, an SKS, revolvers. Most people who are going to be in danger short of a militia role, don't need an AR-15. Armalite model 15s are great if you have a strong logistics chain of bullets, lube, and spare parts. But for the avg American, a ruger mini-14 that doesn't ruffle any feathers anywhere in the country, will do its job without fanfare. Can you justify shooting someone 300+ yrds away as a civilian? I bet you can't. Mini's just fine.
Thank you for bringing your knowledge and experience to the discussion. I stand behind the mini 14 for it's invisible statues as just another hunting rifle. It doesn't scare anyone or cause panic.
While I own both AR's and Mini's, I've made the point many times that as a civilian shooting anyone who is more than 25 yards away will in most scenarios take some justifying. In many jurisdictions if you shoot anyone at any range with an AR15 you will be under a microscope as just owning one is sufficient proof of your guilty intent for some. I certainly wouldn't feel I'm sacrificing anything of consequence if I grabbed my Mini 14 or Mini 30 instead of my AR, if heaven forbid something bad happened.
@@fiveowaf454 thank you for the comment, and support.
Man finally not full of shit l love tvhe mini I have I've got wood and sythetic stock I'm missing my left hand sense I was 20 I'm 60 now and this gun is my go to along with my winchester trapper 30 30 and myruger takedown 10/22 .Brother it's so good to here someone not dogging the hell out of the mini 14 that's been in the service.Love you brother I'm in south al.on the Florida line it gets very hot and humidity up there ,this stainless will take it when shit hits the fan my winchester trapperlever only has six shots but I have bandaleros for both and I feel both as a part of my Body the 10/22 also of course. Give me a chat back if you can.
Thank you for the comment and support on my channel. I really appreciate it. The Mini is fantastic, I suggest everyone have one in their lineup. I also have several videos about the 10/22 take down if you are interested. Thanks again for the support.
I enjoy both Mini14 and AR platforms. Everyone’s just gotta keep perspective on both rifles. Oh yeah, there’s personal preference you gotta factor in, too. Btw, a stainless Mini14 GB with a wood stock is bad ass.
I enjoy all rifles, I just enjoy the mini more over the AR-15.
It's more than perspective. That's why no military uses them
@@michaelatkin9649 they are used by militants around the the world.
@@rainyriveroutfitters probably because it's better than a stick
Thinking about getting the target model for plinking in the yard. Sadly there arent many videos on them that show how well the target model actually works.
Save your money, the target model is not worth it. The tactical model will suit all your needs. And if you do one better find the GB model you will thank me later.
@@rainyriveroutfitters not paying for it. Would be getting it in a trade for a gun i paid less for and just sits here not getting used. Would just be for casual target shooting. My go to for around the property problems is my m1a scout in 308.
@@TietLung then that is a great deal.
I bought a Mini 14 back in 1992. I bedded the action, turned it into a tack driver. Number 1 in my book..
Thank you for the comment and the support. If you don't mind me asking what did you pay for it back in 92?
Thanks
I love the AR platform.. like you I carried an AR style in the Marine Corp. M16a2 then moving on to an M249 SAW being my partner for 3 years….
From everything I learned about riffles over my years.. and wanted on go-to home defense riffle.. I think AR is only superior in MAG changing by a small margin… being in California with all the hassle I picked the mini 14 as my home defense/ target shooting riffle.. I definitely don’t feel undergunned is all I can say.. runs fast and eats all the amo no problems… I can still field strip an AR way faster then the mini… I definitely think the mini 14 is still very viable in today’s riffle market
In the end it’s more about the shooter! Anyone can train to be good with anything after enough practice
Exactly, it is about shooter preference.
Side note ... Besides the obvious plusses for the Mini-14 one can change the stock in a minute or less. I sometimes us the black polymer that came with the the Government Barrel Law Enfoprcement model I have but also like the wood stock I bought as well as the ATI Strikeforce tactical with folding adjustable stock, with that the rifle resembles a modern looking AR styled rifle which is funny because they do the same things basically.
Thank you for your comment. You make a great point.
I just noticed that G.B. model has a shorter sight radius
Correct
I keep a mini 14 handy for the same reasons as well. I love my AR's, but for a grab and go critter getter and defensive rifle I prefer the mini 14.
The mini really is the Swiss army knife of rifles.
580 series. Lubed proper. Tula steel gets eaten like candy. Definitely would be one i take along for whatever purposes. 👍👍💪💪
Eats through whatever you throw at her. Thanks for joining the conversation.
One of the biggest advantage that the Mini-14 has over the AR-15 is that the Mini-14 doesn't shit where it eats and eats where it shits.
Hahaha
YA the WOOD AND STEEL Buddy!
Hell yeah!
I'd like to revisit these, but certainly not giving up my AR(s). The shear amount of AR parts availability is undeniable. I bought a mini 14 back 1974 or 75. I think I paid around 350 or 400 bucks for it, and it was not a good rifle accuracy wise. From everything I've heard or read, this has not been a problem for quite some time, and everyone who owns one, loves it. Willing to give it another try. I think the finest gas piston rifle I've ever shot was a Sig MCX Virtus a friend owns.
The Mini is an asset, like a good Gerber or Leatherman on your belt. I believe everyone should have one just in case.
Gotta get me 1 of them STRUM RUGER's !!
They are awesome
Completely agree on the Mini 14 vs the AR platform. I built an AR…sold it. Just don’t like it. I had a GB just like yours many moons ago and stupidly sold it. Now I have a 580 series ranch rifle that I love!
The GB is getting harder to find. I'm glad you like your 580 series. The AR has its uses just not a very good survival platform.
I'm with ya about the mini. Bought a new m4 colt Socom 1 several years ago roll marked m4A1 kac rails all that crap shot 50 rounds cleaned it and put it back in the box no thank you. I carried a m16 in the army also no thank you. Love my mini 582. I'll take it any day over a ar. Only thing I done to it was put a tech sight 200 on refined the trigger and put a ultimak rail on. Shoot the shit out of anything within 250 yds. As far as the barrel heat thing goes were not running mag after mag so who cares.im sighted at 200 yds 3 to 4 moa with irons , good enough for me. Gotta love a mini.!!!
Hell yeah! Sounds like you have an awesome setup.
I listen to a lot of the great debate over the mini vs the AR and in my opinion they are both great rifles. But I feel that each person is different and it depends on the individual and what they are most comfortable and proficient with. For example I have arthritis and a pistol grip is uncomfortable for me so there for I prefer the mini 14. But even before being stricken with arthritis I always felt more comfortable with a traditional rifle stock.
Either way mini 14 or AR 15 you can't go wrong if it's what truly works for you.
In the end I do not believe that a dear or any other animal would be able to tell the difference or care witch one of these they were talking hits from.
Thank you your your comment, that was well written. I enjoy when people being there opinion to this channel with a well thought out write up. They both have a place, I just enjoy the mini more.
You obviously know your firearms!! I own a M1A NM;Garands;FAL’s; Bulgarian Ak & a Romanian, and a lot of M77 Rugers, Mr. William Ruger, never built any junk!! I am only missing a couple of mini 14’s. You got a good one!!!
Thank you for your comment and support. You have a great diverse arsenal. It's kinda hard to find the mini 14 GB model in fair to good condition as they were used heavily.
I had a 80s model not a fan of how you attach a scope. Fixed in newer models. I'm a fan of the safety. Excellent placement great for left and right handed shooters
Thank you for your comment and support.
Wow that rifle is gorgeous !!
Im a huge fan of the Ruger mini 14
Its definitely on my list to buy next
Only problem is the magazines are too expensive and proprietary
I have all my money tied up in my ar15's
But I'll tell you what when I get healthy again and I can go back too work I'm definitely going to buy me a mini 14 !!
Thank you, she really is a nail driver. Good luck on your purchase in the near future hopefully.
@@rainyriveroutfitters
Thanks brotha
I guess it depends location I'm gonna test the used factory mags I got from a pawn/gun shop. I got a 30 for 17 and another 20 for 15.
I hear the magazine complaint a lot, but I think that comes a lot from an AR15 perspective rather than firearms in general. It's not uncommon to pay $25-45 for a quality proprietary magazine. The Ruger magazines are very good quality, much better than most of my AR magazines and will last a lifetime. If you buy a new rifle Ruger gives you a discount voucher which you can use to get a couple more magazines more cheaply, after that it's just a case of shopping around for the right deals. While a valid point, I think it's overstated, I have several firearms, particularly in handguns where getting magazines you'd stake your life on are not cheap.
@@fiveowaf454
Good point
I love the mini14,maybe just maybe you love the A-team,I love it when a plan comes together.
I love the mini sadly I don't love the A-Team can't get past Mr.T and what he did to Mick as clubber.
another thing people don't pay much attention to is performance in cold weather. Mini does great, AR, not so much...just my experience...
You are correct
I have a mini 14. I put a barrel strut from strum ruger on it. I'm getting sub MOA at 100 meters. The mini 14 action is battle proven. I'm wanting a M1A next.
Hell yeah!
@@rainyriveroutfitters check that strum ruger barrel strut out . It will help tighten up your group. It also looks cool 😎
The Mini has one main advantage over the AR series which makes it desirable: It doesn't come with the psycho/criminal baggage that's tied to the AR.
Exactly! That's one of it's best attributes.
Had a Mini 14 years ago . Paid 200 bucks for it . Sold it and wish I had not . I have an AR . It's ok but I feel the 14 is a better rifle in every way. I like the charging handle on the 14 and it's built strong and can take a beating . I want another one but they are not inexpensive. Will get one again someday. AR rifles are good but the 14 is simply great in my opinion.
$200 bucks! That's a steal of a deal. I agree with you that they are built strong and can handle a beating for sure. Thanks for your comment and support.
Debating between one of these or the lever action marlin chambered In .357
Lever actions have their advantages, I like the mini 14 for it's versatility and the fact you can fire either 556 or 223 in a semi auto. A 357 lever action is a powerful rifle and you have the long standing reliability of the lever action. Just remember if SHTF ammo will be scarce so you want something that will fire a NATO round.
Next year will be 50 years of mini’s come on Ruger let’s have a 50 anniversary model and add 6.5 grendel to the lineup
A special anniversary model would be awesome!
I've found that firewood Burns Longer if you leave it as large as will fit in the stove.
Don't split it so Small.
Best Wishes! M.H.
That's just one side of the wood shed, I have an area with non split.
Thanks for the comment
I had wondered about that.
In that case you are a wealthy Man.
I am often Short on smaller firewood.
It's funny how when you burn firewood you notice firewood piles from a half mile away. Haha.
I enjoyed your mini video. Ive taken Many many Deer with a mini in . 223.
On one very difficult, Lean year the mini was all I had to feed my Young Family and I.
We filled 3 Deer tags that year.
Plenty to last us for a year.
It Became our Survival Rifle for Sure.
We were just about out of Good Options.
The only time my mini ever failed me was when I greased it like a truck.
" If all else fails, Read the Directions. " Haha.
Best Wishes from Montana M.H.
@@mikehagan4320 the mini gets looked over a lot and forgot about. It is an awesome survival rifle. Thank you for sharing your story on how the mini fed your family.
A lot of folks genuinely believe that the Mini is a 1 to 1 scaled down M-14 rifle with the same gas piston system. When you show them how the gas blows right back into the bolt more similarly to a DI AR platform you see the surprised pikachu face so often it stops being funny. I also carried the M4 for a little while. It's a GREAT carbine. But I can't have a real M4 at home. Do I have anything against dudes who want to buy or build a 16 inch semi auto M4gery? Hell nah. Do I prefer my Mini 14 for a semi auto civilian rifle? All day, bro. It looks, points, and /feels/ like a rifle. I have an AK too. That's also semi auto. In it's own little way, it's also a novelty. The mini just feels right. It isn't pretending to be anything. Would it be my first choice if I was going to be single handedly saving the USA from a horde of Chinese bugmen charging me with bayonets fixed? Probably not. Does it do everything a survival rifle needs to do? Oh hell yeah it does. Look up the Bermuda Army versus the Bermuda Police Mini-14 versus M4A1 Falling Plate shooting challenge. Seeing someone proficient on the mini shredding less experienced shooters on the AR platform in a professional shooting competition is catharsis.
Thank you for adding to the conversation, I love the mini and how well it blends into urban environments. The mini is not a scary black rifle to the general population and can move in and out of neighbourhoods without a stigmatism attached to it. I appreciate you bringing your knowledge to the channel. Thank you for your support.
"The Mini just feels right" sums up how I feel and when it comes to proficiency a Mini can be very capable, I constantly see people deriding the platform while at the same time showing it's their lack of familiarity with the firearm that's actually the cause. I see people fumbling magazines in and out, where as you can learn the proper techniques in minutes. I can actually change magazines faster in the Mini than in my AR.
Never liked mine. The trigger was gritty and it had a crude ghost ring flip-up rear sight. Happier with an AR.
Think I might have just got a lemon from a bad run.
Nice video tho!
Thank you for your comment and support. That's really strange, I would contact Ruger about that. They have great customer service.
The one's in .222 are quite rare...but be sure to use FACTORY MAGS
Factory mags are what make the mini reliable.
I prefer the Mini 14 to the AR 15 hand's down, as it is the overall better rifle in almost every way. HOWEVER, because SO many folks in the neighborhood have AR 15's, I DO have an AR simply for mag/ammo compatibility in the event we have to be a "militia" for a Community/State/National emergency. I also have a Glock 19 for the same reason, although the Glock at best is only an adequate 9mm pistol, and not anywhere near being the superb 9mm auto pistol that a CZ 75 is.
NOW, for an "End of Civiliztion" (EOC) type scenario, I put all the autos aside in day to day use in favor of 357 mag / 38 Special revolvers and lever action rifles, because no weapon is good without ammo. Reloadable brass would be an absolute necessity in an EOC situation. Lever actions and revolvers are excellent at conserving brass, plus it is easy to teach non-shooters how to use them. I'd keep the autos and ammo stored for use if needed, but most "Property perimeter patrol", hunting, and general self-defense use would be with the revolvers and lever actions, as those weapons types are superb for general civilian self defense and utility use. The only true use for autos would be if a large gang or paramilitary force were a danger. If that situation presented itself, then the autos would be handed out to the folks that know how to use them, while the lever actions & pump shotguns would go to the less experienced shooters to plug any holes in the defensive line. Know your property / locality well and have a good location to lure the enemy into for a devastating cross fire, and a little bit of "hell fire" with home brewed flame throwers, and "napalm grenades / Molotov cocktails". Normal grenade shrapnel, can be avoided by the enemy but the creeping fire of napalm-like devices crawls into even the deepest depressions that are shrapnel safe!
That's how you take care of business.
I have two mini’s, tactical 584 in 556
in a Hogue and tactical 300 BO in a folder, whole safe full
But if could only have one gun, it would be a mini 14
In 90’s ban had a mini 30 , but regrettably traded it off
They are an amazing firearm
I love my mini-14. Don’t care what the haters say!
Hell yeah!
I had a stainless steel model I bought just prior to the Y2K panic . And I abruptly sold it to a coworker of mine , as I didn’t have an immediate need for at that time after the new year turned and SHTF never happened . However, I’ve longed to replace it since then.
I’m thinking about the tactical rendition. But not sure about the ‘ speckled wood ‘ as it appears to look like a synthetic stock , and I’m like you in regards to .. I love a wood stock with steel , it just appeals to me more than a synthetic stock .
Anyone have any input or experience with the tactical model and the speckled wood ? Is it a textured finish or something ? I live in a rather small town and none of the local dealers have one in stock that I can look at and hold , or I’d probably order one .
Thank you for your comment.
I do not have experience with the newer model, I've heard good and bad about it but at the end of the day it comes down to what you are comfortable with. The older stainless are getting harder to find as people are begining to rediscover it and find that it really is a useful rifle. I personally wouldn't go with the synthetic model but again. It's about choice in that matter. Unless you can find a really good deal I would wait for the "panic" to subside a little as the prices have been driven up due to fear and depamand.
@@rainyriveroutfitters Yes , you’re right about waiting. I don’t “ need “ another rifle , as I have many ( but never too many lol 😂) However, I do find myself looking at UA-cam videos about the Mini 14 quite frequently, so there’s that 🤣
But when I do get one , I’m leaning towards that tactical model with the shorter barrel and birdcage flash hider , and picatinny rail that comes with it … just not sure about the “ speckled wood “ stock, it’s not very alluring.
@@NorthwoodsNomad haha you can never have too many! The mini is definitely a great rifle to have in the arsenal. I would want to see the stock before I actually bought it. You can always change it out if you hate it though so that's an option.
@@rainyriveroutfitters I wish that could be an option for ordering one , it’s just too easy to put whatever stock you desire. I’d hate to buy the rifle , then go spend more money on another stock , and have an expensive piece of firewood leftover lol 😂
@@NorthwoodsNomad hahah yeah that would piss me off as well.
JMHO: I notice many folks commenting on how the mini doesn’t look mean. Folks need to get over all the touchy feely bs. If you know weapons you will recognize the similarities between the mini series, the m14, the m1/m2 Carbine, the BM59 and the grandaddy of them all the m1 Garand.
All of which are weapons of war and great ones at that.
This part is not JMHO, this is factual hands on experience : As for the GB I have personally put many thousands of rounds through them. Some were extremely accurate, some pathetic but most were acceptable, being mop (minute of person). The AC556 is the GB’s selective fire counter part. Another fine Ruger product. If the mini is your choice of a firearm for hard times I offer you this advice. Number one and most important, only use Ruger factory magazines! This is this weapon’s weakest link. Number two, have a spare bolt assembly and spare parts for the bolt and know how to assemble it. The extractors are subject to failure and the roller on the bolt is another weak spot. The charging handle/op rod is also prone to peen the receiver at the rear of its track/groove.
These are outstanding carbines. That said after years of using the ar/m4 platform I have leaned to love it and trust it.
God bless!
Thank you for the comment, and thank you for bringing your experience to this channel.
Thanks 10/22 info I've got 10 /22 takedown it's my 5th I many years buying trading.
I'm glad you liked the video
The factory 20 rounders run flawlessly. I have factory 30 rounders that don't run very well. My state "ALLOWS" AR-15 but I wanted a rifle that doesn't tug at my libtard community where I shoot. I don't regret my choice, beautiful rifle.
The mini is so much more reliable and tactical you can walk through a neighborhood and no one would know the difference between a hunting rifle and the mini. It has a incognito statues and I have run many rounds flawlessly through her. Thanks for the comment, what state are you in?
@@rainyriveroutfitters I live in Colorado,AR-15 is legal here.
@@haydenschlessinger8834 they are legal everywhere if you are a patriot. I live in Michigan they are fine here as well.
Love the gun. Will purchase A.S.A.
P. Thanks for the info. One more thing GO Brandon
Hell yeah! If you can find the GB model get it right away.
I like your stuff
Thank you, I appreciate your support.
👍💯 Shoot them since I was a kid. My dad had one in 1977. Love my new 58 series. Darrell McClanahan Missouri first candidate for US Senate 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
They are one of the most underrated rifles out there. I personally love the versatility of the rifle and how durable and well made they are. They don't have the stigmatism involved with the "black rifle" which makes this an asset.
Thank you.
Thank you for the support
Never regretted buying my mini
They are awesome
Another side note ... The AR is more accurate at 300 yards if one is into that. I'm not, I love the Mini-14 for the intedned purpose of of defending everything withing 60 yards and shoots accurately at 200 yards standing free hand. I have no complaints, learn how to shoot I guess is my argument here.
The mini is an awesome rifle
I have shot 2 Mini 14's, accuracy really sucks. With new US Factory ammo, the group is about 12 inches in diameter, at 100 yards. Fun to shoot but to ever keep one for anything but shooting at 50 yards is the upper limit.
Thank you for your comment, I would have to disagree. The mini is accurate it just depends on the user and the model in my experience. Thanks for sharing.
Ruger did realize the mini was inaccurate. That's why they redesigned the barrel
I feel a lot is user error
I own 5 mini 14's and 2 m 14's. My mini 14 will always be my to go to.
Wow! That's a lot of minis, what models do you have? Thanks for the comment and support.
Odin was my German Shepard, Thor was my yellow labrador.
Freya is my German Shepard, I throw some Norse names into my videos for Easter eggs if people are listening closely.
Owning both an AR-15 and a Mini-14, I can honestly say that if I were dropped in the woods a hundred miles from nowhere and had to choose a .223 rifle to take with me, I would ABSOLUTELY choose the Mini-14 over the AR. It’s simply a more practical and IMO reliable rifle.
It blends in so much better and is an unassuming rifle. Not to mention torture tested reliability. The stainless would be the best for any water insertion.
I think......you're right
Thanks
I love my mini-14, and when in CA camping with a 10-round mag, no one cares.
Northern California is beautiful, it's too bad they have all the crazy rules
Virtually all of them that were marked 223 actually had 5.56 military Chambers in them.
And it's Sturm Ruger, not strum Ruger.
And you are correct with every single AR-15 has stopped functioning, this rifle will still be going.
Thanks for the comment, I know that it's Sturm. Just a spelling error, with that said thank you for your comment.
Have a GB gov stamped stainless w/a Samson folding stock and M7 bayonet w/several gov stamped 20 and 30 round mags and 5 standards stainless all folding stocks ya I got Mini 14 fever and went hog wild on gun broker for a time
Wow sounds like you completely bought out the place. How do you like the folding stock?
I wish Ruger would make one in 6.5 grendel
It would be cool, I love the design. I wish they had more aftermarket support for those who wanted to mod it.
Preach \m/
Thanks
Gotta love the Mini-14 and the Mini-30. They are super fun to shoot and they look great too. Let's not forget that for those people that live in communist states and can't have AR's and AK's, the Mini's are legal just about everywhere.
Thank you for the comment and support. The mini does blend well in an urban environment.
@@rainyriveroutfitters
Absolutely. 👍
I love my mini-14 also with the Gov Barrel designation. I like the bird cage flash hider on it as well. The AR is a good rifle for sure buit it does nothing for me ... I don't like the feel of it as I have shot my brother's and his wife's each which are the Windham Weaponry ARs. I'll take self cleaning gas block all day long ... agreed.
They are a cleaner operating system and have more longevity to them
I like anyone that Loves The Mini
They are a great rifle
Please record in horizontal NOT vertical.
Thank you for your comment and support.
The Mini 14 is such an unproven weapon, I own 3 such rifles 🤣 ! ! !
Hahaha 😂🤣😂🤣
Love my mini 30
Me too
The Mini won't ever be a Sub MOA weapon. But it will be there long after most AKs are Struggling
Won't need it to be, it's so versatile it's become a tool like a Swiss army knife.